Romans · chapter 15 of 16
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Romans 15 asks the strong to bear with the weaknesses of the weak, following the example of Christ, who did not please himself, and asks everyone to welcome one another as Christ welcomed them, so that Jews and Gentiles may glorify God together. Paul then tells of his ministry among the Gentiles, his plans to visit Rome on the way to Spain and his trip to Jerusalem with an offering, and he asks for prayer.
Romans 15 completes the teaching of chapter 14 on unity amid differences, grounds it in the example of Christ and in God's plan for Jews and Gentiles, and begins to close the letter with Paul's personal plans. Here the purpose of the letter comes into view: to prepare Rome to be a base for mission toward the west.
Paul writes that the strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please themselves, for Christ did not please himself. Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. He prays that God grant them to live in harmony, so that together they may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore they are to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed them, for the glory of God. Christ became a servant to the circumcised to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. Paul quotes several Old Testament passages about Gentiles praising God and ends with a blessing: may the God of hope fill them with all joy and peace in believing, so that they may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
From verse 14 Paul speaks of his ministry. He is a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. From Jerusalem as far as Illyricum he has fulfilled the ministry of the gospel, and he aims to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on someone else's foundation.
That is why he had been hindered from coming to Rome. Now he hopes to see them on his way to Spain. First he must go to Jerusalem to bring aid to the poor among the saints, for Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution. He asks the Romans to strive together with him in prayer that he may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea and come to them with joy. He ends with a blessing: may the God of peace be with you all.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The Scriptures were written for our instruction, that through endurance and encouragement we might have hope. Paul recommends reading the Old Testament not as distant history but as a word that encourages us to persevere.
Paul asks us to welcome one another as Christ welcomed us, for the glory of God. The model of Christian acceptance is not affinity but the grace with which Christ received us while we were sinners.
Paul prays that the God of hope will fill them with joy and peace in believing, so that they abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christian hope is not self-made optimism but God's work in the believer.
Paul strives to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another's foundation. It is a missionary ambition that always pushes him toward regions still without the gospel.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: That Christ did not please himself. — Romans 15:1-3
Answer: For our instruction, that through endurance and encouragement we might have hope. — Romans 15:4
Answer: As Christ welcomed them, for the glory of God. — Romans 15:7
Answer: To confirm the promises given to the patriarchs and so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. — Romans 15:8-9
Answer: From Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum, and he hopes to go to Spain by way of Rome. — Romans 15:19-24
Answer: To bring an offering from Macedonia and Achaia to help the poor among the saints. — Romans 15:25-26
Romans 15 reminds us that unity is built by following Christ, not by getting everyone to think alike. In a small group you can ask whom we find hard to welcome and how Christ welcomed us. Whoever remembers how much grace he has received finds it easier to make room for others.
It also encourages us to look beyond our own congregation. Paul thinks of the nations, of offerings for other believers and of mutual prayer. A healthy church prays, gives and sends.
Romans 15 joins the theology of the letter with mission and prayer, and presents Christ as the model of acceptance. Romans 16 closes with personal greetings to many fellow believers, one last warning and a great final praise.
Paul uses temple language as an image: he sees himself as one presenting an offering to God, namely the Gentiles who have believed, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. He is not speaking of a ritual priesthood but of his ministry of preaching the gospel.
The letter expresses his plan, but the New Testament does not tell whether he fulfilled it. An ancient Christian tradition says he did, but the biblical text does not confirm it, so it should be said with caution.
It was a collection the churches of Macedonia and Achaia gathered to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. Paul sees it as a debt of gratitude from the Gentiles to the Jews, from whom they received spiritual blessings.